Salman Khurshid: There was no stand-off with US following Devyani Khobragade scandal

Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid told reporters in Delhi there was “no stand-off” with the US and predicted problems would be sorted out.

The row erupted after the diplomat, Devyani Khobragade, was arrested in New York on charges of visa fraud and underpaying her housekeeper.

Devyani Khobragade is now back in India after an apparent agreement with Washington.

“If there are any issues” India and the US will “sort them out mutually”, Salman Khurshid said in televised remarks.

Salman Khurshid was speaking a day after Devyani Khobragade arrived in India, where she was greeted by her father, Uttam. On Saturday, the two were welcomed by Salman Khurshid.

Surrounded by reporters on leaving the Maharashtra Sadan state guesthouse, Devyani Khobragade gave little away.

“No comments, I am really thankful for all your support… I cannot make any comments right now. My government will speak for me, my lawyer will speak for me,” she said.

Devyani Khobragade was asked to leave the US as the diplomatic rift deepened.

The US meanwhile confirmed that an American official will leave its embassy in Delhi at India’s request – Salman Khurshid described this as an expulsion.

“We have our reasons and have informed the US about it. We are in touch with the US. We will do what needs to be done. I do not think that this needs more discussion,” Salman Khurshid said.

Washington said it deeply regretted the move but hoped that it would bring closure to the case and lead to a return to constructive ties.

The expelled US diplomat has not been named.

Sources told Agence France Presse that the individual was of similar rank to Devyani Khobragade and had been involved in the Khobragade case.

India had demanded an apology after Devyani Khobragade, 39, was handcuffed and strip-searched following her arrest last month. It refused to waive her immunity so she could be prosecuted in the US.

Devyani Khobragade has always denied any wrongdoing.

On Thursday Devyani Khobragade was indicted by a US federal grand jury in Manhattan, but was also granted immunity by US officials, paving the way for her to return to India.

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